HOME INFORMATION PACKS (HIPs)

HIP Fee Scale (Medway and Maidstone areas)

Note: For properties outside the Medway and Maidstone local authority areas add £30.00

What is a HIP?

A HIP is a collection of documents and information about your property required to be assembled before the property can be marketed for sale.

HIPs are now necessary for all the properties being marketed for sale.

Under transitional arrangements, until 31st December 2008, it will only be necessary to have commissioned or ordered a HIP before you can market your property – in other words your estate agent can proceed with marketing your property provided you have placed an order for a HIP.

What’s in a HIP?

a) A HIP must include (required documents):

• Index (showing a list of documents included)
• Energy Performance Certificate (Otherwise known as a Domestic Energy Assessment)
• Sale statement (showing the interest sold, freehold/leasehold etc)
• Local and Drainage Searches
• Copies of your deeds

(b) A HIP can also include (authorized documents):

• Home Condition Report
• Lease
• Planning Consents
• Service Charge and management information

An important point to remember is that most of the documentation (with the exception of the energy performance certificate) required for your HIP is already dealt with in the conveyancing process anyway (albeit at different times and by different parties) and therefore if you are selling and buying there will be little difference in the total moving costs with or without HIPs. For example, previously the searches were obtained and paid for by the buyer.

How do I get a HIP?

Of course, Raymond Beer & Co can supply your HIP – just complete the instruction form by clicking the button below. However, it will be the responsibility of the estate agent marketing the property (or the home owner personally if selling privately) to ensure that the HIP is in place.

We consider the best way will be for ourselves, as your lawyers to prepare the pack, as we have direct access to the land registry and the search companies. It will, therefore, be quicker and cheaper.

Please remember that a HIP prepared by us will be fully transferable and can be used by any estate agent you chose to market your property.

Why use Raymond Beer and Co. for your HIP?

1. We are registered with the Property Codes Compliance Board (PCCB) and follow the HIP Code.
2. Reduced conveyancing fees if you use us to compile your HIP*
3. As soon as you instruct us to prepare your HIP we will immediately fax your estate agent with “Proof of Ordering” form so that they can commence marketing of your property
4. Your HIP will be compiled more speedily: we have direct access to the land registry and search authorities for quick return of deed copies and search results. We have a panel of local energy assessors able to undertake immediate visits to your property
5. Any problems found in compiling your HIP (e.g. wrong names on deeds etc.) can be dealt with quickly and corrected by our experienced legal team, saving you time later if and when any missing papers are required by the buyers’ lawyer.
6. Your HIP is prepared and stored electronically, enabling it to be forwarded by e-mail and downloaded immediately to any estate agent and interested buyer.
7. The HIP is your personal HIP; it belongs to you, is fully transferable if you decide to change your estate agent for marketing your property.
8. There are no “up front” costs other than standard disbursements we have to pay as outlined below. The total HIP costs for a property throughout most of Kent should not exceed £250.00*
9. Finally, (and most importantly) we have over 25 years experience in providing a quality, personal Conveyancing service to our many satisfied clients

Freehold HIP in Medway and Maidstone Council areas (other council's have higher search fees) will be £249 (inc VAT). The actual cost of the HIP component parts (disbursements) will be £199. Our "fee" for compiling it will be £50 (£42.55 plus VAT).

*We will offer a £50 reduction in our standard sale conveyancing fee if you instruct us at the same time as you place your HIP instruction.

**A leasehold HIP will cost an additional £20 as this is the fee charged by HM Land Registry for the obtaining of a copy of the Lease.

TO INSTRUCT US TO PREPARE YOUR HIP CLICK THE BUTTON

Or Click here to print off a paper copy of the form and fax to us (fax number 01634 826826) or post.